Richard78

Michael I suggested to Eric Gates that he contact you and ask you for an article for the Modellers' Digest but he told me that is already in hand! Hayling Island is modelled in Finescale 0 Gauge. The loco "Bognor" is scratch built- the late Peter Korrison constructed the components and I completed the loco after Peter died. It was painted beautifully by Alan Brackenborough. The first and third vehicles were completed using etches from Ian MacCormac. The remaining two were scratch built by me in Plastikard. I live now in Ledbury but was Sussex born and bred! Sadly Hayling Island is just the wrong side of the county boundary but it was the only prototype LB&SCR station that I had space for in 7mm. The station is modelled as it was between 1898 and early 1900. The water tank was still in position then but the engine shed had been removed some time after its closure in 1894. Unfortunately I have not been able to find a clear photo of it. My rolling stock is of three periods: Craven, Stroudley oil lit and Stroudley gas lit. Regards Richard.

About 1890 Hayling Island (or South Hayling as it was then) had only a run round loop, one siding and an engine shed, so rather limiting from an operational point of view. A friend gave me a transcript of the LB&SCR Engineering Committee Minutes for the period and I was able to establish the changes pre 1900 in chronological order. Ralph Cousins of Havant (ralph.cousins@btinternet.com) included this info in a booklet he has produced on the branch. This continually updated and now runs to just over 100 pages. The price is a very reasonable £6. I have modelled the branch as it was between 1898 and the extensions of early 1900 but with rolling stock covering the 1880 to 1900 period. Following a move of house the layout is being completely rebuilt and I can't supply any photographs for the time being but I do have a photo taken prior to the rebuild.

Hello Michael A friend sent me yesterday a copy of the official track plan of Midhurst c1866. The Midhurst branch has always interested me and looking for more information on the Internet I came across a link to your model. Congratulations on a superb layout. How nice to see someone else modelling the Victorian scene- and so well. (I model Hayling Island in the 1890s). I suggested to Eric Gates that your layout would make an excellent topic for the next "Modellers' Digest" but he tells me that this is already in hand- so I look forward very much to seeing Midhurst in the Digest. Do you live in Sussex? Best regards Richard